as in interpretation
a distinct treatment of something (as a story or a play)
a mock news program with humorous riffs on current events
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of riff
Ken is reliable and refreshing, just like this riff on the Tom Collins.
—
Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 8 May 2025
Taking the main melody, the nine-time Grammy winner’s piercing voice soars over lush harmonies provided by the other singers, with Eilish adding her own tasteful riffs throughout.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 5 May 2025
While Page wrote new lyrics to the song, the main instrumental melody — especially the famous descending riff — remained largely similar to Holmes’ original.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 May 2025
Aside from margaritas, Grand Marnier offers nuance to a variety of cocktails including a riff on Tom Collins by using the bitter orange liqueur in place of a gin base for a fresher option (1.5 oz Grand Marnier, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, 1 barspoons simple syrup, 3 oz soda water).
—Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for riff
Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 8 May 2025
Taking the main melody, the nine-time Grammy winner’s piercing voice soars over lush harmonies provided by the other singers, with Eilish adding her own tasteful riffs throughout.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 5 May 2025
While Page wrote new lyrics to the song, the main instrumental melody — especially the famous descending riff — remained largely similar to Holmes’ original.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 May 2025
Aside from margaritas, Grand Marnier offers nuance to a variety of cocktails including a riff on Tom Collins by using the bitter orange liqueur in place of a gin base for a fresher option (1.5 oz Grand Marnier, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, 1 barspoons simple syrup, 3 oz soda water).
—Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for riff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riff
Noun
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In other words, attractiveness is a multidimensional concept comprising beauty, genuineness, and self-esteem, with ‘naturalness’ being an interpretation of the optimal balance of these factors.—
Valerie Monroe,
Allure,
2 June 2025
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One interpretation is that that’s what the world would have been like if we hadn’t got thrown out of the Garden of Eden.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
1 June 2025
Noun
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From Celestial Blue to Butter Yellow, with 13 unique color choices, coordinating or matching the color and style of a bedroom is easy with the variation in color palette.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
30 May 2025
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Studies suggest that half of the variation in blood pressure is due to genetics.78 Mutations in over 100 genes contribute to blood pressure elevation.—
Angela Ryan Lee,
Health,
30 May 2025
Noun
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The most coveted kit will be reserved for Flagship first class passengers, who will receive a mini version of Blackwood’s viral Portmore bag, made of denim with a wrap-around zipper.—
Rachel Chang,
Travel + Leisure,
3 June 2025
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Half the allocation is expected to be bundles with Mario Kart World included, while the other half will be standard versions of the console.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Riff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riff. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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